A long silence settled over the room, until Helena Theodakis broke it in her slightly husky voice.
«I’d be lying if I said you weren’t gorgeous, Amber. That dress is exceptional on you.
She smiled dreamily.
«Thank you, Helena. It’s my goal to be beautiful for your son.
«But,” Nicholas’s mother continued coolly. This gorgeous dress isn’t Nicholas’s style at all, it’s my son-in-law’s!
Amber felt her heart clench painfully in her chest. She looked at Helena Theodakis through the large mirror and locked her gaze in his. Most women in her position would undoubtedly have tried to convince their future mother-in-law of their mistake, striving to find the words and gestures to reassure the said person that their son alone counted and no man could ever replace him. But in the end, Amber didn’t, she didn’t even try to defend herself, plead her case or deny the immutable truth. She could already see herself putting on that dress, descending the monumental staircase, her hair languorously slicked back, held back gracefully by a fine golden barrette, and undulating as gracefully as the dress, and this whole scene of beauty and desire would be dedicated only to one being, a being the head of the Theodakis family had never been able to forgive. For what reason? Amber didn’t know, but she was determined to find out.
«I don’t know if this dress is to Nicholas’s taste, Mrs. Theodakis. And to be honest, I don’t even know what your son’s taste is. But you were right, I wore it because this person will love it.
Amber was perfectly aware of the pain she was causing this lovely, welcoming woman whom she had grown to love from the start of her stay at Ilios for treating and pampering her so well just as Nicholas behaved towards her. But precisely because she respected her too much and wanted to be as honest with her as she was with herself, Amber decided to acknowledge the truth and confess it to her outright. It wasn’t easy to hear that another man had been chosen over your son. It must even have been a great pain. Pain that Amber would probably experience one day when she gave birth to a son. A son she was now sure she’d only ever want to have with this dark, incomprehensible person.
Helena sighed with hurt and resignation. She was terribly angry with Amber, yet grateful to her for having had the courage to be honest with her.
She approached the girl and shook her head.
«Although I’m angry with you now for breaking my beloved son’s heart in this way, and long to make you suffer, I wouldn’t be so cruel as to let you be dragged away without strict warning by this magnificent but appalling being whose heart is nothing but a cold, gaping void.
Amber felt an excruciating ache in her chest, but she held her head high and wore a brave smile on her proud face.
«I think I already know what this person is capable of, and what he is. It’s obvious just by watching him solve a problem as complicated and terrible as the one that nearly toppled your family, that you understand the immensity of his darkness.
Amber paused for a moment before resuming.
«But just as you followed your heart in marrying her father, I won’t run away from mine either. For a long time, I had believed that the passion I bore for your son was imperishable.
But as I finally discover what an immortal desire means, even with what it demands, I’m ready to do anything to live it. No doubt my heart will be consumed by Stephan and his monstrosity. Maybe I’ll never recover from the suffering he’ll inflict on me, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take, and far more than I’m willing to live with the regret of having let him walk out of my life, without seeing myself try anything.
Tonight, Amber showed up at the party exactly as she’d imagined. And her shining eyes sought out just one man.
Various important personalities were invited to the party and filled the immense residence with their overwhelming aura and dazzling finery. Feeling free and brilliant, Amber enjoyed herself immensely, moving easily between each group, managing to talk about various subjects, complicated and even still uncertain.
Countless “gentlemen”, from the youngest to the oldest, circled around the young photographer, inviting her to dance and share their discussions. And for some, going even further, all the while knowing full well that she was still officially engaged to Nicholas Theodakis, their host’s heir. Normally, Amber would have taken offense at all this attention, but tonight she didn’t care. She was having a carefree time.
But behind this euphoria and stifling gaiety lay a longing and deep uncertainty that only one person could satisfy and soothe.
But as the evening wore on, Stephan Zotov was still conspicuous by his absence.
Weary of her irrepressible desire and disappointment, Amber decided to go out for a stroll in the garden with its thousand heady flowers. Helena had asked her not to announce the breakup until late in the evening, when most of the guests had left. Amber was determined to keep that promise, but the thought of the obligatory heartbreaking and detestable act she was duty-bound to perform brought tears to her eyes.
Amber leaned against a pillar, raising her face to a sky of stellar purity and breathing in the fresh air, when a shadow crept up behind her. A firm, possessive hand caressed her hip before moving up to her chest and voluptuously caressing a breast whose bud was hardening to the point of pain.
«This dress suits you perfectly, dear princess. It was made for you.
«Is it really? she said, turning back to the person she’d been waiting for all night.
«Of course it is. And I also know that you bought it and put it on for me to desire you. But I confess I’d rather you were without it.
Amber couldn’t contain her moans of pleasure and submission.
«So much time away. Aren’t you worried that your “prey” has escaped you, dear prince?
Stephan gave a throaty laugh and tugged lightly at Amber’s hair to turn her head upside down and expose her neck to a shower of kisses.
«Escape? I admit that prey sometimes has the opportunity to do so. But never mine.
No matter what they do or where they go, I always catch them, even if it means destroying everything and burning them to the ground. Then I keep them and savor them in every way imaginable until there’s nothing left of them.
Shuddering as she heard these cold, distinct words, Amber lost her strength and could only let him grab her waist and turn her towards him, pinning her against the pillar. Amber let out a low moan of pain and excitement at the same time. It was even more intoxicating when he put all his weight on her before seizing her mouth in a burning, merciless kiss.
«I’m infinitely fond of easy women who are easy to manipulate.
Outraged and hurt, Amber rebelled and pushed him away with all her might.
It was only then that she had the chance to see the whole of him. He wore his luxurious tuxedo nonchalantly, as if it were an ordinary, disposable garment.
His black hair was expertly slicked back and gleaming in the evening light.
ns216.73.216.17da2
and then Add to home screen.